It can be both. Employers who are in the trades may do a placement with an individual who is interested in becoming an apprentice. If the employer chooses to register them as an apprentice with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, there are additional incentive bonuses (see AESB).
A placement is simply on the job training and support for a client and the employer. The client is placed on your payroll as a regular employee. The employer will remit payroll to LEAP and the employer will then be reimbursed based on their placement contract. Your Employment Advisor will have scheduled monitors with both the employer and client to ensure things are running smoothly or address any issues that may arise.